Rib stitches are stretchy in the side-to-side direction. Welt stitches are stretchy in the up-down direction. When you combine ribs and welts into a stitch pattern, you get a super stretchy fabric, perfect for a cuddly afghan. This afghan is a “sampler” of rib-welt stitch patterns. There are six different stitch patterns used. The resulting afghan is large, stretchy, and irresistibly cozy!

Rib and welt patterns are made up of knit stitches and purl stitches. Nothing more. There are no yarn-overs, or increases, or decreases, or slipped stitches. Just knit and purl. The only technical challenge, then, is to keep track of when your are knitting and when you are purling.